I’m taking a quick break from my self-imposed blogging and social media sabbatical for an important cause. I feel at peace breaking my sabbatical for this because it has nothing to do with a project I’m producing and I have no financial or marketing benefit whatsoever. But a friend, colleague, and one of the most talented filmmakers I personally know, Brandon McCormick of Whitestone Motion Pictures, is spearheading a most unique film project. It’s called “The Candy Shop” and it’s a fairytale metaphor about the sex trafficking of under-aged girls. This is a topic that as of late has really been close to my heart, so I am happy to help promote Whitestone’s film. This film will be a major initiative to help support Street Grace. But enough of my babbling. Watch the video below.

About Whitestone and this Project

The Candy Shop Documentary from Whitestone Protege Program on Vimeo.

Click here to watch the teaser trailer.

Teaser Trailer

For the past year and a half I have been going through what I call a transitional phase. On top of adjusting to a completely new life in Atlanta, we’ve worked hard to re-build our business from scratch, all the while starting a new photography business, Teen Identity. I also co-authored a book with my wife, spoke at over half a dozen seminars/conventions/expos, been on Film Fellas, the DV Show, ended one podcast, started another, and helped start a national movement. People are always commenting, “How do you do it Ron? Are there five of you?” No. Unfortunately, there are not. And it’s starting to take it’s toll.

I’ve been doing a lot of deep thinking about life, liberty, and the pursuit of dreams. One of my dreams has been to be a filmmaker. I’ve achieved that dream…to an extent. But the dream of dreams is to be the kind of filmmaker that makes films that change the world. Impact thousands, if not millions of lives. Those who follow my various social media and teaching venues know that since last summer I’ve been on a quest to return to my roots as a filmmaker. I’ve also had a strong desire to do more cause-driven and inspirational films, particularly for non-profits who often can’t afford our typical rates.

I also want to go on more date nights with my beautiful wife; have more energy when I play with my son; exercise more; eat better; go to the gym; take up ballroom dancing again; be more involved with my church; and I want to write and make films (MY films).

So, when I put all this together and take a long, hard look at my path, the words of Andy Stanley ring in my ears, “It’s your direction, not your intention, that determines your destination.”

Taking a Social Media Sabbatical

Again, if you know me, you probably did a large gasp as you read that sub-title. I am the poster-child for social media and networking. But it’s true. I’m making some hard choices in life right now with how I spend my time. I genuinely feel like God is saying, “Ron, I have something different in store for you, and right now, what you’re doing ain’t it. Trust me and let go.” So. I’m letting go.

I’ll be doing little to no tweeting Facebooking, blogging, podcasting, or even marketing in general. What I’m doing is a huge leap of faith…literally. I have no idea what God has in store. But you know what. If feels good.

We’re still taking client inquiries, but they will most likely be on a more selective basis. Send inquiries to service {at} daredreamer {dot} net. I’m not sure when I’ll return, or how it will look when/if I do. But if you subscribe to this blog, or follow me on Twitter, you’ll be one of the first to know.

I’ll most likely post any new videos to just to my Vimeo and/or YouTube channel, so check there if you want to keep updated on any new projects I post.

Until we meet again in the social media Facebook-Twitterverse, remember the words of Henry David Thoreau, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.”

Or, as another “Andy” put it, “get busy dying, or get busy living.”

Yesterday I heard a great quote: “The path to perfection only leads to procrastination.” Wow! There’s a lot of truth in that. As artists it can be so easy for us to not do ANYTHING because we’re waiting to have just the right tools and toys; or just the right crew; or just the right [insert-you-favorite-excuse-for-not-doing-something-you-need-to-do here]. For example, reading the RedUser.net boards, I saw a lot of filmmakers holding out on the Epic or the Scarlet before starting whatever film project they’ve been waiting to do. (They’re still going to be waiting). I love the post that Stu Maschwitz wrote when the Canon T2i/550 was announced. With a list price of $799 (or a 3-day rental price of just $62) there are no more excuses for not going out and making films!

I Gotta Have It!

But lately as a filmmaker I’ve been convicted that we can’t wait for all the stars to align before getting our butts in gear. We gots to do it NOW! I’ve started re-reading a book a read a loooooong time ago, “Spike Lee’s Gotta Have It.”  It’s his personal journal leading up to the making of his break-out feature film debut She’s Gotta Have It. (note: this book is easily rated “R” given the colorful language Spike uses as well as the content of the film. Not for kids!) In reading it a common theme is that you can’t wait for everything to be just right. You can’t rely on anyone one “hero” (whether it be an investor or the perfect DP). You need to go out and get your business handled. Ya dig!

Ken Burns’ Lasting “Effect”

I was also reading an article about Ken Burns in Success Magazine last week on my date night. Ken talked about the first big documentary he shot in 1982 about the Brooklyn Bridge. While raising money for it, for every “yes” he got 150 “no’s.” But he persevered. The doc went on to earn an Academy Award nomination and was featured on PBS. Now a major “effect” is named after him and he’s forever immortalized in iMovie.

So, what is it that YOU’RE procrastinating on? For me, it’s writing. I started to get back to writing scripts, but then I floundered. But lately I’ve been inspired by my wife Tasra again based on this blog post. She talks about getting near the end of her 365-day photography challenge and adding yet another personal challenge. She gives 7 great steps for anyone to go out and persevere. One of the tips is to “find a buddy and accountability.” In almost any great endeavor, accountability will play a key factor. You need someone who can hold you accountable to deadlines, promises, to provide encouragement, etc.

Hold Me Accountable

So, I’ve decided I need to get back to writing. There are a few short film ideas I’ve been talking about for months, and I’m only about 3 pages into writing one of them. That’s unacceptable. So, I’m about to break back into my online screenwriting account on Scripped, and dig back in. Will you please hold me accountable? Every now and then, tweet me about how the script is coming along. When appropriate, I’ll write about the experience here.

Okay folks. Let’s stop waiting for Jupiter to align with Mars and get our groove on! Who’s with me?

I believe that one of the greatest evils on the face of God’s green earth is the exploitation and trafficking of children for sex. When I hear about the horrors that young girls (and some boys, too, by the way) go through in countries like Cambodia, Greece, India, etc., it makes me sick. Disgusted. It could give one a false sense of security to think, “Wow. I’m so glad I live in such a great country like the U.S. where such evils don’t exist.”

This country is great. And I’m proud to be an American. But, before we get too high and mighty, it might interest you to know that some of the most horrific statistics of Commercial Sex Exploitation of Children (aka CSEC) occur right here in the U.S! And I was further surprised (and horrified) to learn that one of the top cities in the U.S. for CSEC is my very own Atlanta, GA.

When you hear the numbers, they boggle the mind. You think to yourself, “How can that be? That can’t be right. They must have added an extra zero.” But, make no mistake. They are real. (e.g. 7,200 men are serviced by under-aged girls every MONTH in Georgia). These numbers are so real in fact that a group of non-denominational churches here in the Atlanta metro decided to band together and do something about.

Street GRACE (Galvanizing Resources Against Child Exploitation) started little over a year ago and has already grown by leaps and bounds. Over 30 churches have banned together and are partnering with other organizations to attack the problem in five key areas: awareness, prayer, mobilization, support, and restoration.

A Special Evening of Awareness, Prayer, and Engagement

On Friday, June 4, at 12 Stone Church (1322 Buford Drive, Lawrenceville, GA), there will be a special evening to raise community awareness, pray, and provide opportunities to engage. Tasra and I have volunteered our creative services to contribute to this event. Working with our Teen Identity team of girls, Tasra did a 20-image photo series of the girls holding up signs that represent the “Voices of the Victims.” (The rest of the photos will go online over the next few days). All the photos will be displayed in one of the rooms of the event.

I worked with the girls to create a public service announcement video that will be played at the end of the worship part of the event. It is our hope that these can be used beyond the event to help continue the spread of awareness and action.

If you’re in the Atlanta metro area, I encourage you to come by. It is an “experiential” event that you walk through. There will be music, photography, singing, and opportunities to learn more about this issue. It shouldn’t take you more than a half hour or so to walk through. The event will be open from 5 pm to 9 pm. Get more info here.

“Numbers” – Sex Trafficking PSA

Here’s the PSA I made. It was such a fulfilling project. Special thanks to Liana Lehman-Hall for loaning me her equipment. And special thanks to the Teen Identity girls who braved the pouring rain to shoot the video and photos on our limited schedule.

“Numbers” (HD) – Child Exploitation & Sex Trafficking PSA from Ron Dawson on Vimeo.

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Join the Teen Identity Revolution

If you’re a photographer, videographer, or filmmaker interested in helping us address more issues like this (ones that specifically affect teen girls), and if you want to help make a difference in the life of teen girls, join our Teen Identity Photographers Network. We’ll soon be sharing specific plans how you can get involved.

So last week I’m working on this video for a client and as is often the case, I need some inspiration to kick start the old creative juices. I’m about to type in the URL of any of the number of amazing filmmakers and colleagues whose work I admire when it dawns on me, “Hmmm, what if I watch a few of my older pieces that are in a similar genre as this piece. Something I haven’t looked at for a while?” Not only am I inspired, but I’m pleasantly surprised. “Wow. I was/am pretty darn good.” The juices start flowing and I’m off and running.

I Like Me! I Really Like Me?

That subtitle is a comic allusion to the now famous Oscar acceptance speech Sally Field did for her role in 1984’s “Places in the Heart.” In that speech she’s excited at the fact that despite whatever doubts she may have had about herself in the industry, that Oscar win proved that her colleagues really liked her and admired her work.

But you know what, it’s okay if you really, really like yourself too. When you need creative inspiration, try drinking in some of your old work, and be re-inspired.

Now, I’m sure that many of you are thinking the same thing. That it’s hard for you to look at your old stuff because you’ve improved so much more since then. You don’t want to move backward, you want to move forward. I get that. And I’m not saying look at your old garbage. But as visual artists, we all have had those few projects that seemed to transcend even our own skill at the time. When we connected with a project in such a meaningful way we totally “hit it out of the park.” Go back and look at those.

Or, maybe there was a time when you were in a different space in your life and it affected the work you did. Just because some of your work may be older, doesn’t mean it can’t inspire you. Think about it. Choose any successful filmmaker with a 20+ year history and I guarantee you can go back to some of their earlier work and see genius. Look no further than Woody Allen. Allen’s movies from the 70s are considered some of the best in cinema history. “Annie Hall.” “Manhattan.” “Crimes and Misdemeanors.” “Hannah and Her Sisters.” Films over 30 years old that rival (and IMHO surpass) much of the more contemporary films we watch today. But it’s not just Woody. Scorcese. Spielberg. Cameron. They all have naturally improved “technically” as filmmakers over the years, but have earlier work on every film critic’s top 100 films of all time list.

So, is there an “Annie Hall,” a “Mean Streets” or an “E.T.” in your repertoire that has the potential to kick start your creative juices? I’m sure there is.

We’re starting a revolution and want you to join the fight! A fight to uplift the esteem of teen girls all across America. A fight to change how the media portrays women and girls. A fight to change society’s view of what beauty is. This is no small task!

Mass media, including photography, film and video, play a significant role in how teen girls see themselves. The images they see in top fashion magazines, on billboards, in the malls, and on TV show them they the ideal is to be skinny with perfect facial structure, and exposing their body is the way to get attention. We say forget that!

Yes skinny can be beautiful. But so can plus size. Big lips, thin lips, round eyes, or almond eyes…it is ALL beautiful. But what’s even more beautiful is that inner beauty. The joy and confidence that exude from a teen girl who feels great about herself. We’re not talking about natural beauty… no makeup, hair in a ponytail… we’re talking about the beauty that goes deeper than anything external.

The Mission

Teen Identity is dedicated to using the power of photography, video, and social media to change the face of beauty in the world… starting with this generation of teen girls. But we can’t do it alone. We need the help of photographers, writers, companies, and parents.

Being involved in both the event photography and video worlds, Tasra and I are reaching out to our various networks to build a national movement that will change the lives of young girls. At the same time, we want to give both seasoned and aspiring professional photographers opportunities to grow their business. We’re currently talking with key vendors to help us in our mission to improve the lives of teen girls everywhere. At the same time, you can benefit from their services.

The Plan

We’re still working out the details of what this might look like, but we want to get an idea of what you would like to see. What would be good for your business? Maybe you already have an established and successful business and just want to be part of something positive in the industry. Maybe you’ve recently started your business but don’t really know where to take it and need some direction. Maybe you want to start a photography business but the idea of doing all the “business” stuff really puts you off. You just want to shoot. We’re exploring ways of addressing all these questions.

Please take a moment to fill out our survey and let us know a little about you and what you’re hoping to get out of a Teen Identity collaboration.

Take survey

The POSH Women Filmmakers Cruise Retreat

Guest Blog Post by Reagan Zugelter

POSH presenters Kristen*, Tasra Dawson, & Jessica Roman

When I look back at how POSH came together, it was nothing more than a casual Friday afternoon banter on Twitter between a handful of women event filmmakers.  Jennifer Moon of Northernlight Filmsworks and I then started direct messaging each other discussing how there are so many very talented ladies in this industry, why don’t we create something just for us and have it be about networking but also include some education as well. So we set out to create the first ever event that was not only just for women but also highlights the amazing female filmmakers of what is largely a male dominated industry on our blogsite. And lets face it, some down time at the end of the wedding season doesn’t sound too bad either, does it?

With POSH, we want it to be different than what had been done before, something more intimate that will still allow for networking, education, inspiration and a little R&R, so we set our sights on the a 4-day cruise in the Bahamas, November 8-12.  The cruise includes a stop at Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas where we are doing a shoot with DSLR and Super 8 & 16mm cameras plus utilizing some other cool gear.  There is one day at sea which is dedicated to our workshop with featured presenters Kristen* of Bliss* Productions, Tasra Dawson of Dare Dreamer Media and Jessica Roman of Ray Roman Films. Within the workshop there is also small group discussions with moderators so attendees have a chance to share and learn from each other too. We really wanted this retreat to be more of an educational experience so we are focusing more on a grass roots type of atmosphere.

Our main goal with POSH is to not only connect and educate other women business owners and artists but to also launch more women leaders in the industry and have them be recognized. We hope to see more women on the EventDV 25 list, winning international awards, speaking at various conferences and associations and maybe even hosting their own workshop someday.

POSH 2010 is limited to only 40 women. If you register by April 30, you are entered to win a $100 onboard cruise credit. For more info or to register, visit www.posheventonline.com

We would like to thank EventDV Magazine, Event Filmmaker, Canon Filmmakers and Ron Dawson for promoting and supporting women visual artists and POSH. If you are interested in sponsoring this unique experience, please contact us at info@posheventonline.com.

About the Author

Reagan Zugelter is co-founder of international Award Winning event filmmaking studio, Studio+Z Films. Reagan manages the marketing, advertising and day-to-day operations of the business while her husband, Steve, is the primary filmmaker. She spent 10 years in the corporate world as a Marketing Manager in the radio, television, print /digital industry before leaving to focus full time on the studio and her two daughters.

In the day-to-day hectic world of running your own business as a visual artist, it gets very easy to be consumed by work. Marketing. Accounting. Taxes. Shooting. Editing. Networking. Blogging. Back to marketing. It’s a never ending cycle. As you get caught up in it, there are so many times when you feel “What’s this all for? Why am I killing myself.” We forget why we picked up a camera in the first place. But you know what, sometimes you gotta give yourself permission to STOP!

Here are two videos we’ve produced that I hope will encourage you to take time and remember who you are as an artist. To reconnect with people. To rest and mediate on all the blessings in your life.

BREATHE

This is the first part of the third film in the Pictage PartnerCon keynote series we produced last year. This film was part of the INSPIRE theme. If you remember the backstory of this series, this was not the intended production. We were supposed to tell the inspiring story of someone who had changed his life around. But, he sort of went AWOL. So, our inspire film became this spoken word piece. Written by my ever so talented wife and photographer, Tasra Dawson. Be sure to read the fun film facts at the end of the blog post.

Now…BREATHE

Breathe – Pictage Inspire Film from Ron Dawson on Vimeo.

For other inspirational films, blog posts, photos, and more, be sure to check out inspire.pictage.com.

STOP and Stand Out (An Oldie but a Goodie)

This next clip was actually a video we produced 2-1/2 years ago. It was shot during PhotoPlus Expo 2007 as one of Dane Sanders‘ Photo Minute series. In the hustle and bustle of professional photography, how in the world does one actually stand out?

Dane’s Photo Minute – Just Stop from Ron Dawson on Vimeo.

Fun Film Facts

Here are some interesting behind the scenes tidbits on each film.

Breathe

• Pictage’s CMO Simon Anderson did the presentation at PartnerCon about the theme “Inspire” right after this video aired. In it he educated the crowd that the root word for “inspire” comes from the Greek meaning “to breathe.” We had no idea that was the case at the time Tasra wrote the piece. It was very cool to find that out for the first time when Simon gave his keynote.
• The star, Pedro Oliveira, was actually the production assistant we hired to help us on the originally intended inspire film. When we came up with the idea for the spoken word video, we wanted someone of color (but not me). We had no idea if Pedro had any acting experience. I already knew he was a talented filmmaker (he’s part of the Whitestone Motion Pictures crew. The owner of Whitestone, Brandon McCormick, is featured in the CREATE film of this series.) Pedro knocked it out of the park.
• Shot on a 5DMarkII with a single, 4′, 2-panel Kino flo. A black cloth blanket was hung over our homemade CYC set up for the background. No color grading. What you see is how it came out of camera.
• Tasra’s original poem was longer than what is here. But we were running out of time so had to shorten it. It took us three hours to shoot. Much of that was because we gave the poem to Pedro when he arrived. So he memorized it in chunks as we shot it. That’s one of the main reasons I have it jump around. But, it actually is more visually interesting that way.
• The look of the film was inspired by the I Am Second film series.
• The original title Tasra gave the poem was “Smoke Trails of Dying Dreams”
• We had Chipotle burritos for lunch. (Not useful info, just thought I’d throw that in there because I remembered).

Stop

• I had just finished eating breakfast with Dane as we strolled the streets of New York towards the convention center. He wanted to do a photo minute series off the cuff.
• The traffic and city noises you hear in the video are all added in post. There was some city noise when we shot it, but I wanted much more to give the feeling I wanted.
• SPOILER ALERT (read this only after watching the video). When we pull back at the end to reveal the empty staircase, it really was that empty. We did not have to tell anyone to move or stand back.
• Of all the videos we produced in 2007, I voted this one my favorite.
• Shot with a PD150 in 16×9 mode and available light. Color graded with Magic Bullet.
• Of all of Dane’s photo “minute” videos, to my knowledge, this was the only one that was actually just over a minute (most were 6-11 minutes. )

Vimeo inbox. Click to enlarge.

One of the decisions I made this year on my quest to return to my filmmaking roots is to highlight other amazing filmmakers I come across. It’s all part of 1) giving back, 2) being inspired and 3) helping to inspire others (either with my own work or the work of colleagues). Today I came across this terrific short film documentary about singer/song writer Mat Kearney. I found it on Vimeo. (If you want to see some of the most creative work being done by filmmakers with HD DSLRs, just hang out on Vimeo for an hour.)

How I Found It

On Vimeo’s home page, once you’re logged in, you’ll see a list of new videos in your “Inbox.” If people connected to you on Vimeo upload a new video, or “Like” a video, that video will be part of your inbox (are you seeing the social networking possibilities. It’s similar to tagging in Facebook.) I frequently will quickly scroll through these vids to see if anything of interest is there.

I saw the title “City of Black & White Tour – 7D Documentary.” The first thing that caught my attention was the reference in the title to the camera used. It’s kind of comical to me that nowadays, during this HD DSLR craze, filmmakers like putting the camera used as part of the film’s title.  But, I understand why they do it. Filmmaking and HD DSLR aficionados roam the “halls” of Vimeo. They (like me) all want to see the latest and greatest by these cameras, to be inspired, and learn how others do it. (It was through Vimeo that the NFL discovered friend and colleague StillMotion and their work.) The “7D Documentary” is what caught my attention when I saw the title. So I guess it works.

What I Like About This Piece

The filmmaker who made this short is Charles Son. There are more details about the piece in the video description. Here are a few things I like about this film:

• Great opening that draws you in
• Terrific composition (check out how Charles films the conversation between the two band members at 1:55.)
• Color grading in post was well done
• Great use of recorded music synched to live music.
• Great combination of natural audio
• Clear, crisp audio of the interview
• Loved the mix of the main interview with the behind the scenes interviews.
• Poignant ending soundbite with great visual montage.
• Feel-good ending

The main critique I have is that he didn’t put the band’s URL in the actual video. It’s gotten over 33,000 views so far on Vimeo. I’m sure some of that is from embedded videos (like I did below). In pieces like this, put the URL.

Enjoy the Show

I have no doubt  you’ll enjoy this video. And, like me, maybe you will discover a new band to check out. Well done Mr. Son.

City of Black & White — Canon 7D documentary from Charles Son on Vimeo.

Pictage is one of the leading companies on the web that enables and empowers professional photographers. Every year they have their PartnerCon conference for photographers to learn, network, and be inspired. Hundreds of photographers gather from all over the world to attend. We had the honor to produce a short film series that CEO Jim Collins used in his keynote at last November’s conference. The theme of the conference was Dream, Create, and Inspire. Each film represented one of these words. Last month I told you about how creativity under pressure shaped the making of the series. This month I’m going to share some insight into the second film in the series, “The Creative Process.”

What is perhaps unusual about this particular film is that, for a video about the creative process that was meant to be shown to over 500 photographers, there isn’t one photographer in it. We had originally planned (and actually filmed) some pretty big names in the pro photography world. Original cuts of the first film “Pursuit of Dreams” included these interviews. But, something special happened when this CREATE-themed film was shown to Pictage. (Even though it was the second film, it was the first one I finished). There was something powerful and poignant about hearing non-photographer creatives talk about their process, and have it still ring true to photographers. Furthermore, the audience could watch the films without any preconceived notions or attachments they would have had the people in the video been well-known photographer personalities. So we re-edited “Dreams” and made the remaining films so that all three were sans-photographers. Based on the feedback, it was the right call.

So, when you watch the film, regardless of what kind of creative you are, think about how their words relate to how you work and feel as an artist. Then perhaps share how your creative process works.

BE INSPIRED

This film is part of the Inspire.Pictage.Com website–a respite for creatives to be refreshed, rejuvenated, and reminded about the importance of connecting to that part of you that makes you an artist. If you haven’t already, be sure to check it out.

THANK YOU

Many thanks to the artists who gave of their time to be in this film:

• Brandon McCormick of Whitestone Motion Pictures. An insanely talented filmmaker here in the ATL.
• Nick Kirk, composer at Whitestone. The music he’s written for Whitestone’s films are epic.
• Suzy Schultz, a passionate painter. She has perhaps the most profound statement in the whole piece. See if you can pick it out.
• Blake Howard, creative director at Matchstic: a brand identity company that is really on the cutting edge of brand strategy and development. If you need some serious brand development (and you got the $$$), don’t hesitate to hire these guys.
• Imahni Dawson, the musician “character” in the film. If you saw the first installment about Dreams, the fun story tidbit is that the song you see her writing in this film is the one given to her in her dream from the last film.

FUN FILM FACTS

• Except for one talking head interview, all footage was shot on the Canon 5D Mark II and graded with Magic Bullet.
• The “dolly” shots at the beginning and end were done on my son’s Tonka truck. (No expense was spared for this project!
• The piano playing you see Imahni doing at the end is real (though you can’t hear it). She’s playing the actual song she wrote. It is the song she sings a cappella in the next installment. (Stay tuned.)
• At the end of the film you see a black and white photo of a little girl on the piano. That is Tasra. (Not now of course, but when she was a little girl. Just wanted to be clear about that.) And in the upper left-hand corner of the last shot you’ll see our family photo.
• Part of my creative inspiration for the making of this and the Dreams film was the Nooma films–using visual imagery that has a somewhat narrative structure to illustrate some of the concepts being discussed by the talking heads. It’s a little bit more creative than straight b-roll (which is also used here).